Gambia 1-DALASI (KM13)
Slender-snouted Crocodile

The Slender-snouted Crocodile may already be extinct in The Gambia, and its population is declining rapidly in other countries in west and central Africa. Because its natural habitat is remote and inaccessible, little is known of this species. Their main diet is fish, along with small birds, frogs, crabs, and shrimp. Their life span in the wild is 50+ years, and apparently their call sounds like a truck exhaust backfiring.

Originally appearing on the silver 4 shillings coin in 1966, this design was carried over to the decimal coinage in 1971 (minted one year only). Later, in 1987, this coin was changed to a smaller heptagon.